Spartanburg County Coroner's Office
366 North Church St., Suite 1700
Spartanburg, SC 29303
864-596-2509
Suggestions for Fire Safety
Have and Maintain A Smoke Alarm
Make an Escape Plan
Practice Fire Safety
Have and Maintain a working Fire Extinquisher
Home Heating and Winter Fire Safety
Many of these fires can be prevented. You can prevent the loss of life and property
resulting from heating fires by being able to identify potential hazards and
following these safety tips:
Have your home heating and air system inspected and serviced at the beginning of
spring and fall to check for any mechanical problems.
Wood Stoves - carefully follow the manufacturer's installation and maintenance
instructions. Look for solid construction, such as plate steel or cast iron metal.
Check for cracks and inspect legs. Use only seasoned wood for fuel, not green wood,
artificial logs or trash. Inspect and clean your pipes and chimneys annually and check
monthly for obstructions. Keep combustible objects at least three feet away
from wood stove.
Electric space heaters - buy only heaters with the underwriter's laboratory (UL) safety
listing. Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will
switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Always unplug your electric space
heater when not in use.
Kerosene heaters - buy only UL-approved heaters and check with your local fire
department on the legality of kerosene heater use in your community. Never fill your
heater with gasoline or camp stove fuel. Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene.
Never fuel while on, or indoors.
Fireplaces - clean fireplaces frequently and inspect chimneys for obstructions and
cracks to prevent deadly chimney and roof fires.
Smoking Fire Safety
If you smoke, smoke outside.
Use deep, sturdy ashtrays placed on something sturdy and hard to ignite, like an
end table.
Don't leave cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended.
Before you throw out butts and ashes, make sure they are out by
dowsing in water or sand.
Never smoke in bed and don't smoke if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or taken
medicine or other drugs.
Holiday Fire Safety
Select a tree with fresh needles and a trunk sticky to the touch.
Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent.
Maintain your holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the
insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before
putting them up.
Avoid using lit candles. Never put lit candles on a tree.
Firework Safety
The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public firework displays by
professionals who know how to handle them safely.
Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass. Always have a bucket of
water/or fire extinguisher nearby.
Do not wear loose clothing.
Cooking Fire Safety
Keep an eye on your cooking and stay in the kitchen.
Wear short or close-fitting sleves.
Watch children closely.
Turn pan handles inward to prevent food spills.
Call fire department immediately if a fire breaks out by calling 911.
For more info go to firesafety.gov for Citizens
The following information is merely suggestions from the Spartanburg County Coroner's Office to help with fire safety if you encounter a fire. By no means are we suggesting if you follow all of these statements that a fire will not happen.
Suggestions for Fire Safety
Have and Maintain A Smoke Alarm
Make an Escape Plan
Practice Fire Safety
Have and Maintain a working Fire Extinquisher
Home Heating and Winter Fire Safety
Many of these fires can be prevented. You can prevent the loss of life and property
resulting from heating fires by being able to identify potential hazards and
following these safety tips:
Have your home heating and air system inspected and serviced at the beginning of
spring and fall to check for any mechanical problems.
Wood Stoves - carefully follow the manufacturer's installation and maintenance
instructions. Look for solid construction, such as plate steel or cast iron metal.
Check for cracks and inspect legs. Use only seasoned wood for fuel, not green wood,
artificial logs or trash. Inspect and clean your pipes and chimneys annually and check
monthly for obstructions. Keep combustible objects at least three feet away
from wood stove.
Electric space heaters - buy only heaters with the underwriter's laboratory (UL) safety
listing. Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will
switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Always unplug your electric space
heater when not in use.
Kerosene heaters - buy only UL-approved heaters and check with your local fire
department on the legality of kerosene heater use in your community. Never fill your
heater with gasoline or camp stove fuel. Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene.
Never fuel while on, or indoors.
Fireplaces - clean fireplaces frequently and inspect chimneys for obstructions and
cracks to prevent deadly chimney and roof fires.
Smoking Fire Safety
If you smoke, smoke outside.
Use deep, sturdy ashtrays placed on something sturdy and hard to ignite, like an
end table.
Don't leave cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended.
Before you throw out butts and ashes, make sure they are out by
dowsing in water or sand.
Never smoke in bed and don't smoke if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or taken
medicine or other drugs.
Holiday Fire Safety
Select a tree with fresh needles and a trunk sticky to the touch.
Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent.
Maintain your holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the
insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before
putting them up.
Avoid using lit candles. Never put lit candles on a tree.
Firework Safety
The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public firework displays by
professionals who know how to handle them safely.
Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass. Always have a bucket of
water/or fire extinguisher nearby.
Do not wear loose clothing.
Cooking Fire Safety
Keep an eye on your cooking and stay in the kitchen.
Wear short or close-fitting sleves.
Watch children closely.
Turn pan handles inward to prevent food spills.
Call fire department immediately if a fire breaks out by calling 911.
For more info go to firesafety.gov for Citizens
The following information is merely suggestions from the Spartanburg County Coroner's Office to help with fire safety if you encounter a fire. By no means are we suggesting if you follow all of these statements that a fire will not happen.
Division/Staff
Asked Questions
Fire Safety
Vehicle
Safety
Infant Mortality
Prevention